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New Years Resolutions For Paralegals In 2012

Danelia Argueta - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Making new yearʼs resolutions is a long-standing holiday season tradition. Unfortunately, often failing to follow through with those resolutions once the holidays
pass is common as well. However, perhaps our odds for success in 2012 might improve if we make more career-minded resolutions rather than general ones, according to a recent article on Law.com.

For starters, begin by improving your general well-being the article suggests. Obviously, your personal health affects your on-the-job performance. So, getting a health checkup
is like getting a tuneup for your car, either one just makes everything run better.

Similarly, obtaining additional professional credentials could help turbocharge your
career in 2012. For example, you could prepare for and complete the Paralegal
Advanced Competency Exam to obtain your PACE/RP certification. This certification is
one of several available to paralegals. Click here for a handy comparison of these certifications
and their requirements.

Lastly, other noteworthy resolutions to consider for the coming year include mentoring
another paralegal, joining your local bar association, and giving back by doing pro bono
work or performing community service. Click here for the complete list of paralegal new yearʼs
resolutions.

29-Dec-11 12:00 PM

The Not So Typical Online Classes

Dave Ramirez - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT

The Center’s online teaching technology focuses on improving all aspects of paralegal education. The objective is to engage more students in exciting new ways, on their terms and devices. Professors can connect with students more effectively, so students stay informed, involved and collaborative.

Paralegal student Amy Osterloh explained how the college’s online technology specifically helped her in one of her classes, “...after completing a degree (at) a 4 year university (and) years of real estate classes, this class has prepared and exposed me to more helpful information that I have been able to absorb and carry with me to the classes ahead.” She continued, “I absolutely love the online format, and my concern with not feeling close to the teacher and classmates due to a virtual classroom have been completely alleviated. I have grown close with my classmates, and even though we don't agree on everything, we are still able to have civil and mature debates on laws and issues that could be very polarizing.”

She revealed, “I actually enjoyed the Library Scavenger Hunt more than I thought I would, and it ... made the research process virtually painless and fun!.” She said, “I can honestly say, that for the first time in my life I ... LOOKED FORWARD to class! This is saying a lot since I have never liked school or classes of any kind, and that fear has kept me out of the classroom for many years.”

Amysummed up by adding,“I think Shakespeare said it best in this quote from Romeo and Juliet. It seems like yesterday we were just nymphs embarking on our paralegal studies, minds full of ideas and 1st discussion questions abound(ing).” She said, “We exit our Legal Research and Writing class with a newfound understanding of the principles and techniques needed for the challenging road ahead.”

1-Dec-11 1:00 PM

2011 Halfway Mark Highlights

Danelia Argueta - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

As the summer comes to an end, we take time to highlight some of the great moments the Center experienced so far in 2011.

February was an amazing month. We hosted the first graduation of the year, participated in Suit Drive (S.O.S) benefiting Dress for Success Houston, and celebrated our 24^th year anniversary. The months to follow were a true representation of our dedication to the students and education of the paralegal community.

In our continued efforts to bring value to the Alumni Network, we hosted two events. The first event was an educational and inspirational presentation called “Achieving Your Full Potential”, given by guest speaker Glenn Smith from The Growth Coach. The second event was a summer social at Café Adobe with a Tex Mex Luau theme. This event was an opportunity for Alumni Network members to network for ultimate career success.

In April, we invited legal professionals to participate in two career oriented events. We first offered a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) review seminar, prepared and conducted by Judge Ana M. Otero. All seats were quickly filled with people from various parts of Texas. Our very own Academic Dean, Tom Swanson, J.D. led a popular Public Notary Seminar which gave attending paralegals a competitive edge when seeking employment.

As we moved closer to the halfway mark, we were honored to be selected as one of the pilot test sites for the National Federal Paralegal Association (NFPA) nation’s first Paralegal Core Competency (PCC) exam. Our continued success is highlighted by winning the Better Business Bureau “Award of Excellence, Winner of Distinction”, 2011.

Lastly, we began enrolling international paralegal students in our online classes. Our first is Jacqueline Sahoy, from the great country of Dubai. Jacqueline wakes up at 4am to participate in our virtual online classes. She shares that this is a “great way to interact weekly with the instructor and to participate in discussions with other students. The format helps me feel involved with the topics we are studying. In short, this is a similar feeling to being in a regular classroom!"

We are thankful to all who have been part of our halfway mark highlights. We couldn’t have done it without you, our students, faculty, staff, and partner organizations.

11-Aug-11 9:00 AM

Results are in! 2010 Paralegal Salary Survey

Danelia Argueta - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:00:00 GMT

comparison results report for 2005 and 2010 survey

In 2010, the Division conducted a compensation survey of paralegals in Texas. Statistics are presented on the organizations or firms’ paralegals work in, paralegals’ salaries, how billing for paralegal work is done, paralegals’ education and certification(s), and employee benefits. The 2010 survey drew 1425 responses, an increase of more than 82 percent compared to 2005 survey.

Heidi Beginski, Board Certified Paralegal, Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization recently sent an email providing a comparison of 2005 and 2010 compensation surveys. Below are the results for work environment and education.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Areas of law saw the following changes from 2005 to 2010:

Top 5	2005	2010	Net Change
Litigation	46.4%	42.6%	- 3.8%
Personal Injury	19.9%	19.9%	no change
Corporate Law	15.3%	17.8%	+ 2.5%
Family Law	15.1%	21.2%	+ 6.1%
Commercial/Contract	12.0%	16.0%	+ 4.0%

Family law showed the largest growth over 2005 of all categories available for selection.

EDUCATION

In 2005, 21.5 percent of respondents had an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, which rose to 25.1 percent in 2010. The majority of respondents in both 2005 and 2010 had a bachelor’s degree (40.8 percent in 2005, and 38.3 percent in 2010.

BECOMING A PARALEGAL

The Center offers an A.A.S. Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Certificate program. Both programs offer a comprehensive approach to preparation for a paralegal career and courses include the top 5 areas of employment mentioned in this survey. Some of the job skills learned are document preparation and management, legal research and writing, legal computer applications, interviewing and investigations, business incorporation, title searches, foreclosures and real estate closings.

Becoming a paralegal can easily fit into your schedule. We offer traditional daytime, evening, and virtual online classes which is delivered by the latest advanced technology that allows you to interact in real live with your professor and colleagues. To find out more details about the paralegal profession or to start your paralegal career, contact one of our Admissions Advisor at 800-446-6931.

For salary survey results, visit http://txpd.org/news_display.asp?cid=77.

Heidi Beginski, Board Certified Paralegal—Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization works for Lovett Law Firm in El Paso.

Reprinted with permission fromTexas Paralegal Journal.

5-May-11 1:00 PM

Are you being noticed by employers?

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:00:00 GMT

If you are a beginning or mid-level paralegal, you now have an opportunity to impress your current or potential employer by taking and passing the Paralegal Core Competency (PCC) Exam now offered by National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

Let’s face it, attorneys have earned the right to appreciate a good, tough education as well as the need for continuing education and credentials. Proving your knowledge and your desire to learn and grow in the legal field can only be to your advantage, and NFPA now gives you an opportunity to do just that through the credentialing of the PCC Exam.

The Center For Advanced Legal Studies has been selected as the Texas location for the pilot test of this exam. This first and only time, the exam will be given as a pencil and paper version. Afterword, the exam will b offered electronically. This pilot exam is valid and any candidate with a passing score will be entitled to use the CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) credential behind his/her name.

The test will be given at the Center on Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 1 PM to 4 PM. The application fee is $65.00 (regularly $215). Applications are accepted through April 30^th .

Go to NFPA’s website at www.paralegals.org to register and get details about the exam today. You, and your employer, will be glad you did!

26-Apr-11 2:00 PM

Insight from Inside: Part One

Meredith McMullen - noemail@paralegal.edu — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

So, you are gearing up to get done with school and get out there in the field and working as a real paralegal… It sure would help to have some advice from those who have walked this path before you, wouldn’t it? What steps can you take to start building your career from the first minute you get out there? What pitfalls could you avoid by having a little “insight from the inside” – aka: advice from paralegals who have been successful, who have made mistakes and overcome obstacles? What tidbits of information could you put in your arsenal as you prepare to break through into the field as a brand new paralegal? Well, the goal of this series is to provide you with just that – guidance from seasoned paralegal professionals. Words of wisdom from those who wish to help you by sharing their experiences and giving you the gift of leverage that they may not have had when starting in this business!

I regularly attend multiple paralegal association meetings including luncheons, CLE opportunities, conferences, socials, etc. I have been very fortunate to have had a chance to meet with many paralegals from each of these associations and “pick their brains” for just the kind of information that a fledgling paralegal could truly take to heart and use to his or her complete advantage when starting just out of school…

I begin this series with the first set of three questions I presented to the Capital Area Paralegal Association (CAPA) in Austin, TX. They very generously provided me with lots of feedback to share with the students of CALS:

1. What is your advice to new paralegals just entering the field?

The number one response by a landslide was: to join a paralegal organization or association as soon as possible! They obviously recognize the value of bonding with other paralegals and sharing knowledge, experience, contacts, and vendor information through the use of paralegal groups. The answer coming in second place was: to gain as much experience as you can – regardless of how menial it may seem at the time. You never know when that particular skill or contact that you gained through a certain task will come in handy in the future. It will only make you more valuable, certainly not less! The third top answer was: to be patient when job-hunting. Don’t get discouraged! The opportunities are there, and in the mean time while interviewing and searching for the right employer, make yourself stand out by following the first two responses! Other answers on the list included:

Get a mentor
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Read and proof EVERYTHING
Start out general before specializing
Be a “work-a-holic”
Be patient with attorneys who won’t know much about legal document production, admin issues, or personnel issues
Read everything you can on your own
Sign up for legal alerts from large firms, government websites like Dol, DoJ, State of TX
Get your paralegal education – it’s a must – it will set you apart from your competition!

2. What could your employer do to make your life in the office easier?

Aside from the all-too-obvious answer “more time off”, the number one answer was that paralegals wish their attorneys would: offer more encouragement for CLE and organizations/associations. Here we see the value placed on joining such organizations and getting that continuing education once again! Another popular answer was to: provide more communication and keep the paralegals updated not only on status of cases but about issues in general. Some of the other answers to this question included:

More assistance in billing and training
Stop micro-managing
Be consistent with assignments
Sound proof the walls
Make me a more important part of the litigation team
Better and faster equipment (e.g. dual monitors)
More legal staff, more competent admin staff
Provide resource books
General understanding, empathy

3. What are some of the benefits you receive from joining a paralegal association?

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that these paralegals are very firm on the fact that joining an association is the way to go! The number one answer to this question (literally, it was practically unanimous) was: networking. We are all familiar with the famous phrase “it’s not what you know, but who you know…” Well, although it’s not completely true – you do actually need to know your stuff – there is an underlying truth to the notion that doors are much more likely opened to those who know the parties on the other side… Think about how much networking can truly broaden your horizons. And then join an association as quickly as possible! The next two most popular answers were: CLE (continuing education), and discussion and interaction with other paralegals of current legal issues. Other reasons/benefits to joining up with a group? Some included:

Knowledge
Mentoring
Job Bank/First look at available jobs in field
Fun
Meeting vendors
Group emails and newsletters
Numerous

This information was provided by Meredith McMullen, Admission Advisor at the Center. She regularly attends multiple paralegal association meetings including luncheons, CLE opportunities, conferences, and socials. She meets with many paralegals from each of these associations and “pick their brains” for just the kind of information that a fledgling paralegal could truly take to heart and use to his or her complete advantage when starting just out of school.

**If you have a particular question or issue that you would like for me to present to our veteran paralegal friends in any or all of our partnering associations, please send it to me at: Meredith@paralegal.edu. I will be happy to find your answers!

21-Jan-11 10:00 AM

What’s Speech Got to Do With It?

Danelia Argueta - noemail@paralegal.edu — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:00:00 GMT

How many speeches do you think you’ll give during your life? “Hopefully,” you say, “none!” So what purpose can a Speech course serve for a paralegal in the real world?

If Speech were only about giving speeches, you would have good reason to doubt its usefulness. But a Speech course also helps develop a number of skills that come into play once you are working. As you know, few occupations demand more of you than the legal profession when it comes to thinking on your feet and communicating clearly. Interestingly, those are just the skills you need to deliver a good speech.

Looking at the comparison more closely, the process of preparing a speech requires the same analytical and organizational abilities required of a paralegal. On the job, you may use those abilities in writing deposition or document summaries, case status memoranda, or something as simple as a transmittal letter. In Speech class, analyzing and organizing data are used to develop an outline of what you’re going to say, the first step in putting a speech together. In either case, incidentally, you usually don’t have much time to get the work done!

After outlining a speech comes the actual writing. Because strong written communication skills are a universal requirement for a paralegal, speech writing proves quite valuable. During the Speech course at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, AAS Degree students write and deliver one talk a week. This provides an extended opportunity to increase your proficiency in sentence structure, grammar, usage and spelling. In general, delivering speeches just naturally develops your capacity to formulate and transmit ideas more clearly. Why? Because, as authors know, there is nothing like speaking your own words out loud to give you a valid perspective on the quality of your writing.

Another major component of creating a speech is research, a task you may perform in your paralegal career. Legal research includes identifying appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to your assigned cases.Besides locating the data, you must sort through it to pinpoint the exact material you need. Preparing speeches serves as good practice, since even a three-to-five- minute talk can entail tracking down and summarizing information from a number of sources.

Of course, any discussion about Speech has to address the fear factor, since it is a matter of record that most people would rather have a root canal than speak in front of others. A wise speech teacher addresses this issue right away, getting you to write down your fears and leading a class discussion on the topic. S/he will also teach you a variety of tools for reducing your anxiety both before and during a presentation.

But it is often the repetition of giving speeches in class, week by week, that helps manage your anxiety the most. Stepping out of your comfort zone in this manner reaps big benefits, specifically a boost to your self-confidence, self-worth and assertiveness. You begin to enjoy these rewards on the spot with the peer support that emerges in a Speech class. The positive feedback exchanged during critique sessions raises individual morale and promotes team spirit. Teamwork is also cultivated with exercises in which students break into groups, then block out and write speeches together. Exposure to this kind of brainstorming helps prepare you for the future possibility of workingin teams with one or more lawyers, paralegals, or legal secretaries.

You can see that, even if you never give another speech again in your life, you can carry over a good deal of relevant experience from a Speech course to a paralegal post. Reassuringly, these six weeks of instruction take place in a supportive environment where you learn from your missteps and expand on your strengths while your classmates root you on. Once you settle into the workplace, you may look back at this experience as one of the most helpful building blocks in your paralegal training.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Gretchen Havens is a faculty member who teaches Introduction to Speech at Center for Advanced Legal Studies.

1-Nov-10 2:00 PM

What Does It Really Take To Work as a Paralegal?

Doyle Happe - noemail@paralegal.edu — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Author: Doyle Happe. Doyle Happe has over 40 years experience in the field of education. He is director and co-founder of the Center for Advanced Legal Studies and is passionate about providing quality educational programs that permit graduates to perform at a high level. The focus of this article is on substandard paralegal programs that restrict success through limited curricula and preparedness.

Attorneys completed an undergraduate degree, earned a high enough score on their LSAT to be accepted into law school, entered and graduated from law school, studied for and passed the bar exam. All of this to become eligible to practice law.

Then, as time goes on, they need someone to organize their files, interview clients, conduct research and perform the many other legal duties that would free up their time to take on more clients, litigate more cases and allow the firm grow and prosper. They need a paralegal! This is where you come in.

Paralegals legally perform all the duties of an attorney with the exception of representing clients in court, setting legal fees, and giving legal advice. They work under the supervision of an attorney and their time is often billed to the client, so if you want to be a paralegal, it would be a good idea if you knew what you are doing.

You probably have come across some paralegal training programs suggesting that after a few short weeks, you too can be a paralegal. Some even claim a few weekends will do the trick! These programs are often presented at prestigious universities that have a long tradition of academic excellence. You usually would not question these institutions, but the inherent inquisitive nature of legal professionals causes you to start wondering why it would take an attorney three years of law school to grasp what you learned last weekend!

This starts your search for a more responsible path to becoming a paralegal and you find educational standards already established. Your search leads you to AAfPE, the largest paralegal educators' association in America. They state, "These short-term programs are doing a disservice to the students who enroll in them, to those who employ paralegals, and to the legal profession."
There's more, but I'm trying to be nice here.

In retrospect, it's not reasonable to believe that after a few weeks of training you could be much help to someone who spent all those years preparing to practice law. Instead of freeing up their time, the opposite happens.

So, what does it really take to work as a paralegal? Getting properly prepared is a good way to start. Perhaps your first legal research assignment should be to discover the most appropriate educational path for you to take to arrive at your destination. Your success as a paralegal may depend on how you do on this project.

10-Oct-10 11:00 AM

Professional Competency for Paralegals

Larry D. King, J.D. - noemail@paralegal.edu — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:00:00 GMT

For several years I have included a document with my syllabus for each class I teach called “Professional Competency and Blackboard”. My thesis is that professional competency as a paralegal is not instantaneously conferred upon graduation from paralegal school, rather, professional competency is something that one builds over a period of years and the time to start building that competency is while in paralegal school. There are various ways that the learning system (Blackboard) we employ at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies helps to build that competency. The core competencies or qualities that employers are looking for in paralegals and the ways Blackboard can be used to practice those qualities are as follows:

Professional competency is the result of practicing and sharpening key skills (core competencies). Core competencies of paralegals enhanced by Blackboard use include:

1. Computer skills – A paralegal must be computer literate and proficient. Blackboard is a great way to practice and develop computer skills while learning other subjects.

2. Scheduling tasks – A paralegal must continually review assigned tasks, prioritize tasks and schedule high priority tasks for completion. Use Blackboard Calendar to schedule exams and other events, assignment due dates and set deadlines for the timely completion of tasks.

3. Timely completion of tasks – A paralegal must accomplish assigned tasks when they are due and meet all deadlines. Monitor due dates and scheduled events. Meet all deadlines for the submission of assignments. Take all scheduled tests.

4. Following instructions – A paralegal must painstakingly follow instructions of attorneys. Carefully read all instructions given regarding assignments and follow them precisely. Pay attention to details. Ask for clarification if instructions are not clear.

5. Self-reliance – A paralegal must take responsibility for projects and tasks and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Figure things out for yourself. Use available Help files and Web resources to learn how to use untried software programs, unfamiliar features of Blackboard and how to complete new assignments and projects.

6. Organization skills – A paralegal must independently organize multiple tasks, projects and documents. Don’t rely on the instructor to remind you when assignments are due or when tests are scheduled. Keep yourself organized. Follow the Syllabus and materials in Course Content. Be a self-starter. Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to complete assignments and study for tests. Don’t procrastinate. Follow through.

7. Interpersonal skills – A paralegal must work well with attorneys, fellow paralegals, court personnel and clients. Participate in group discussions in class and online Discussions. Listen to and read what others say, process it and respond with your own thoughts and questions. Show up and interact. Be a responsible member of the class.

8. Communication skills – A paralegal must communicate clearly and concisely. Use Blackboard Mail to communicate with other students and the instructor. Be precise in your language. Be aware of the words you use and how they appear to others. Make it look professional. Use spell check. Proofread what you write. Look up terms in Glossary.

9. Presentation skills – A paralegal must organize documents, legal authorities and other materials for presentations to attorneys, clients, and public officials. Learn how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point to present information.

10. Initiative – A paralegal must think about what needs to be done and then do it! Don’t settle for just doing what you are required to do. Challenge yourself to do more than is required. Look for additional things to do and learn using Blackboard Web Links and Course Content.

To find out more about Larry D. King, J.D. and the class he teaches at the Center visit : http://www.paralegal.edu/en/helpfiles/v/22

17-Sep-10 11:00 AM

Certificate vs Certified

James Scheffer - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:00:00 GMT

If you are interested in the paralegal profession, then it's important to understand the difference between being a certified paralegal and having a certificate in paralegal studies.

PARALEGAL CERTIFICATE

A person who has successfully completed a paralegal education and training program may receive a certificate. Receiving this certificate designates the conclusion of the educational process. It does not mean that this person is “certified” as a paralegal. At the Center, the Paralegal Certificate is earned by students that have received a Bachelor’s Degree prior to entering the program. Undergraduates earn their Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies upon completion of their education rather than a certificate. For more information about our paralegal programs, talk to an Admission Advisor.

CERTIFIED PARALEGAL

A certified paralegal is a paralegal that has completed a certification exam and has met specific requirements. The requirements, in general, include:

graduation from an accredited paralegal program
acceptable performance on a qualifying examination or series of examinations, and/or
completion of a given amount of work experience

There are several organizations that offer certification exams.

The National Association of Paralegals (NALA) awards the designation Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) or Certified Paralegal (CP) to persons who have met its requirements, which include passing a competency exam. Advanced specialty certification (CLAS) exams are also administered by NALA, as are a few state-specific advanced competency examinations. www.nala.org
The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) awards the designation Registered Paralegal (RP) to persons who have met its requirements for education and work experience and who have passed the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE). www.paralegals.org
NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals, offers three unique paralegal certifications of varying levels. www.nals.org
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers a voluntary specialty certification program in six areas of Texas law. Other states have state-specific examinations. www.txpd.org

The American Bar Association does not certify paralegals. Paralegals may not represent themselves as "ABA-certified paralegals," because the ABA's approval applies to the paralegal education program rather than to the individual paralegal. Center for Advanced Legal Studies offers the Certificate Program for College Graduates and the AAS Degree for Undergraduates. Both programs are ABA approved.

Why it’s Important

Attorneys are encouraged by their State Bar Associations to promote continuing education and excellence among their paralegals. A paralegal that successfully completes a professional Certification Exam helps ensure employers and clients that they possess a specified level of understanding and competence.

26-Aug-10 3:00 PM

Paralegal Professionals benefiting from Social Media Websites

Danelia Argueta - noemail@paralegal.edu — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:00:00 GMT

People use their Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any other social media site differently. For many, this may mean sharing with friends and family stories about their weekend or fun places they have recently visited. Something to consider is that with any professional career, how you present yourself in society can make an impact to the advancement of your career. Often people forget that social media sites, although online, are still projecting an image of you. For this reason, understanding how these sites can help or hurt your career is important as you enter or move along in the paralegal profession.

In the article written by Jeanie Sapp Johnston, she provides information on ways you can utilize social media sites to enhance your career.

The most basic form is for community. Community is specifically important for a paralegal who may work for a small solo firm who doesn’t have other paralegals to talk to. This can be a great way to network with people in your field and find out ways to improve your job role. You can also use these tools to market yourself and your profession. Maybe you can mention an interesting seminar you attended, a certain accomplishment, or a certificate you have received. However, keep in mind that you are there to build relationships so it’s important that your information varies and that you’re not always talking about your career.

Another way these sites can be beneficial, is to help you find employment. You can post your resume on sites like LinkedIn. On this site, you can find friends or colleagues and learn what they are doing in their careers. Another way you can find employment is by networking with your alumni group. Find out if they have an online alumni networking site and join that group. Networking with them may provide you with the next big career opportunity.

Lastly, you can build your knowledge by focusing on your education. Several sites are available where you can attend webinars, teleconferences, and take continuing education courses. For example, Center for Advanced Legal Studies has a Facebook page and is constantly sharing information about paralegal education with their fans. Look up other organizations that offer information about training and courses available in your area and join their Fan page as well. By joining, you will be introduced to many educational sites or online courses that you will find beneficial.

Once you are ready to launch into the social media world, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Keep your profile pictures professional. Employers are spending more time “googling” prospective employees to find more information about them online. Being cautious about your profile photo can possibly land you your next job. Be cautious about what you say. If you are not ready to put that sentence in the front page of your local newspaper, than perhaps you should consider how to post it on Facebook. It may not be something that can affect you today, but in the future in can come back to bite you.

Social networking sites are a way to build relationships and communicate with people. The only difference is that you are now sharing your conversations with multiple people at one time. These are not individual conversations and it’s important that you keep that in mind. Lastly, these tools are used to enhance your ability to communicate with others, but it should not replace face-to-face interactions. Remember to schedule luncheons, attend events, and participate in functions where you can meet people in person and not just online.

28-Jun-10 5:00 PM

Paralegal Occupation is Still a Rising Star!

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Here it is. Bad news/good news.

The bad news is, the nation is still in a recession. The good news is, the paralegal field is still growing.

Since you are on this website and reading this article, then you or someone you know is probably interested in a legal career. As indicated by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, this profession is "projected to grow 28 percent through 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations".

The Handbook states that the demand for paralegals is growing because employers want to reduce costs and increase the "availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. Demand for paralegals also is expected to grow as an expanding population increasingly requires legal services".

If you are interested in the law or have thought about going to law school but just aren't sure or aren't ready, you need to check into getting a high quality, formal education that will provide you with the best employment opportunities in the field.

To find out more about the paralegal job outlook go to http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm.

To find out more about the Center and how we can help you begin your legal career call 800-446-6931 or email us at info@paralegal.edu.

21-Jan-10 12:00 PM

How I Became a Paralegal.

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Written by
James Scheffer

Admissions Director at the Center

I began my paralegal career onboard the aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). Prior to enlisting in the Navy, I had never heard of the term paralegal, much less have any desire to become a paralegal. That all changed.

I arrived onboard the USS CARL VINSON as an undesignated Airman, which basically means I would be placed in a position that required little more than a warm body. My first assignment was to V-2 Division, catapults and arresting gear. The mission of the Division was to operate the ship’s equipment that launched an aircraft into the air from a runway at sea. This also includes the retrieval of the aircraft upon landing in a manner that is best described as a controlled crash. Life in V-2 Division was grueling. “Flight quarters! Flight quarters!” would be the call through the 1MC, an all hands intercom system onboard Navy ships. I would gear up and make my way swiftly to my post. My job was to take a big bar that looked and felt like those that you add weights to at the gym, run up under an aircraft with jet engines in full roar, duck (so as to not be sucked in by the intake), attach one end of the bar to the catapult and the other to the aircraft (there was a little dumbbell-looking piece you attached that breaks away at a specific pressure point as the aircraft launches). I would then scurry back to the “catwalk” on the side of the ship high above the ocean where I would duck again. The jet propelled to the end of the flight deck with a loud “boom!” A large tank of water below deck stopped a piston propelling the aircraft forward, the little dumbbell broke away, and the aircraft launched into the air with all its force. After all the aircraft were safely launched, the next task was to perform preventative maintenance on this massive piece of machinery. After this, we would conduct a “field day,” however, not the kind you may have experienced in elementary school. Our field day involved thoroughly cleaning every nook and cranny of our assigned work spaces. The complete evolution would often take 15 to 18 hours and we were allowed to eat, rest, and get cleaned up during the remaining 6 to 9 hours, if you weren’t assigned to a security watch.

One day, when the ship was in homeport, the catapults were lifted from their troughs and my job was to climb down into the trough and clean grease. I was young, full of energy, and quite happy to be there. I proudly announced who I was and where I was from to a shipmate angrily cleaning the grease next to me. He did not respond and was in a pretty foul mood. I later discovered he had been disciplined for misconduct and was performing extra duties as a part of his punishment. This made me stop and think, “This is my job which others are required to perform as punishment?” I was suddenly aware and looking for another path for my naval career. Shortly after that experience, I was visiting the Division tool shop when I encountered another shipmate working on a course book for Navy Legalman, an administrative position. I asked why he was working on the qualifications and he proudly announced he was planning on becoming a Navy Legalman. “Navy Legalman? What is that?” I asked. He informed me that there was an announcement in the ship’s Plan of the Day (a daily publication) seeking sailors who may be interested in transferring to the Ship’s Legal Office and converting to Legalman. The Legal Office is where they prepare discipline cases for non-judicial punishment and courts-martial; conduct JAG Manual Investigations into serious incidents; provided legal assistance; and perform a whole host of other legal services. I wasn’t sure what all it entailed, but knew it didn’t involve the flight deck, 18 hour workdays, or completing tasks that others were assigned as a form of punishment!

I vigorously began completing my qualifications for conversion to Navy Legalman and submitted a request to transfer to the Legal Department. Approval of my request required that I complete “on-the-job training” in the legal office during my off-duty time (of which I had little while at sea). I was therefore resigned to performing on-the-job training while in homeport, where we only worked eight to twelve hours days because you obviously don’t launch aircraft unless you are at sea. However, while in homeport, the legal office was in full swing since sailors on liberty tend to get in a little trouble now and again.

My first assignment in the legal office was filing a huge tray of papers, which I did with pride, again and again until I had the Chief all caught up on his filing. I was then assigned a “real” Legalman task to perform. I was “allowed” to type a tray full of about 50 of powers of attorney. I was excited. I sat down, turned on the typewriter, rolled a form into the carriage and then suddenly realized… “I don’t know how to type!” All I could hear was the sudden and extremely loud humming of the Selectric III typewriter before me. Up until that very moment I hadn’t realized that the typewriter made any noise at all if someone wasn’t typing. Not one to give up and desperate to succeed, I began to type the information onto the forms, slowly but surely, so I thought. I had wasted about ten forms when the Chief showed up to ask how things were going and why I had so many forms in the trashcan. I sheepishly admitted that I had made some typing errors and needed to keep starting over. He informed me that the typewriter came equipped with correction tape to fix mistakes. Wow! Correction tape! I went through a roll of that in no time and had to find ways to obtain correction tape from friends in the supply department so it wouldn’t be known how much I was actually using. Nevertheless, I persisted and got through that stack only to be rewarded with another. My speed and accuracy began to increase, but I secretly purchased a manual (that means no electricity required) Mexican typewriter at a local pawn shop and began practicing and practicing my typing every evening. Things progressed, and in time, I was given more and more opportunities while completing my on-the-job training.

After 90 days, my time in the Legal Office became routine. Whenever a sailor has “duty” he is required to stay onboard the ship for a full 24-hour period and stand various watches or participate in working parties to load/unload stores and materials. During my duty days, I spent every available hour performing my on-the-job training. One evening, I was supposed to meet the Chief outside his office at 1800. I got off watch, cleaned up, and hustled to the Legal Office so as not to be late. No one was there when I arrived, so I awaited the Chief’s entrance in the passageway. At around 2100, he arrived with sleep in his eyes and appeared to have been napping before coming to the office. He asked me why I was standing in the passageway outside the office, and I reminded him that he instructed me to be there at 1800. He asked why I was still standing there, and I told him I was waiting on him so I could get in and get some work done. The very next day my request for transfer to the Legal Office was approved! After two years in the ship’s Legal Office I was transferred to attend Navy Justice School in Newport Rhode Island, where I graduated with honors and was approved for conversion to Navy Legalman or “paralegal.” My four year enlistment in the Navy turned into a 20 year career in which I promoted through the ranks and retired as a Senior Chief Legalman. However, lessons I learned during that 90 day on- the-job training period have carried me ever since, and can certainly be useful to all aspiring paralegals:

be persistent in pursing your trade,

learn new skill sets and continually seek to improve them;

take initiative;

be resourceful; and

most importantly, be reliable.

19-Jan-10 3:00 PM

ABA Student Membership & Social Networking Site

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:00:00 GMT

The ABA recently adopted a "Student Associate" Category. Membership for this category is open to students in college or university level post-secondary educational studies who have an interest in the work of the American Bar Association. Dues are $25.00/year. Student Associates may be able to join certain sections as well. Additional information is available at:

https://www.abanet.org/ome/front/form/ome_main.cfm?JoinType=t&sc=RMM9IBE

The ABA also has a new social networking site. Legally Minded is for lawyers, paralegals, educators and others with similar interests. You do not need to be an ABA member to belong but will be restricted from ABA "members-only" content. Users can establish groups, contribute to group discussion boards, share files, etc. There are also wikis. Here's the link : www.legallyminded.com

25-Aug-09 2:00 PM

Paralegals May Be Replacing First Year Associates, According to CEO of ParalegalGateway.com

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Wed. Aug 19, 2009

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB)

First year associates may be taking a back seat to paralegal professionals. That's the word from Jeannie S. Johnston, paralegal expert and CEO of Paralegal Gateway.com on the subject.

Johnston, who consults with many large firm paralegal managers, goes on to explain that the inside word from some of the nation's top law firms is that they actually lose money on first year associates. These firms spend big money on recruiting top candidates and offer large starting salaries only to have them begin work without any applicable experience.

"It takes about another year to train the first year associates. Secondary to this, they are not able to bill out as much time and the firms are actully losing profits." Johnston goes on to say, "The existing paralegals, on the other hand, can do the exact same work much more efficiently and end up billling almost three times as much in the same day. It just makes more sense to increase the hourly rate of the paralegals and reduce the first year salary of the incoming associates."

Johnston believes that if this trend catches on, paralegals should see an increase in their paychecks. "This has been a long time in coming and paralegals deserve not only the respect for the caliber of work product they are producing, but also an across-the-board increase in their salaries. Bottom line is that we are profit centers for the firms that we work for and should be compensated accordingly. In some areas of the country, firms are only offering $25,000 salary to mid-level paralegals and I don't know of many people who can live comfortagly on that abount of income!"

For more information please visit ParalegalGateway.com.

Jeannie S. Johnston is the founder and CEO of ParalegalGateway.com and has been a Paralegal for over 16 years. She has written for Legal Assistant Today, The Paralegal Reporter, and has spoken at conferences nationwide. She recently appointed as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Legal Assistant Today.

24-Aug-09 11:00 AM

Interested in a Paralegal Career?

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Author: Gail L. Armatys, M.S. is Administrator and Co-Founder of the Center. Gail has nearly 30 years of experience in the private school industry and is a trained Mediator, and Christian Life Coach. As a partner in the development of the Center and its programs, she is most interested in delivering opportunity through education to students interested in the law and in helping them find their career, success and satisfaction in the legal profession.

After reviewing hundreds of ads and online commentaries about the various paralegal programs coming available to the public, I feel a need to write. As co-founder and administrator at a private paralegal school I find it disconcerting to read some of the information now available about the paralegal profession.

Although it is great to read all the articles about the growth of the paralegal profession and the opportunity found in the career field, it is unsettling to also read daily how paralegal programs seem to be popping up all over the country to take advantage of this growth. Being an entrepreneur myself, I don’t have a problem with educators and business people seizing the moment to open doors of opportunity to others. But I have to ask myself if that is what they are really doing.

We opened the Center and began our programs over twenty years ago. Over the years, we have gone through all the rigors of state approval, accreditation, and ABA approval. The purpose of all of this is to: provide high quality, specialized paralegal programs, teach them in the shortest time that seems feasible without having to take more-than-enough electives, ensure understanding and skill development, provide successful lifetime placement assistance to graduates, and do it all with oversight to ensure the integrity of the programs and the institution. Our ultimate goal is and always has been to serve students honestly and with excellence and serve the legal community and its clients by providing quality paralegals.

Now, I find that paralegal programs seem to sprout up everywhere. This includes short-term programs taught in continuing education departments of well-known universities so as to appear to be a part of the university curriculum, appear to be accredited, are stretched out over time to appear to be longer, and appear to cost very little because potential students often do not calculate how much they are actually spending per class hour and investing in the lack of student services and curriculum content.

I also find that there are online paralegal courses popping up all over the place taking advantage of the growth market. Again, this causes me concern for the students who attend these classes, for their employers, and for the clients they will serve. Are these online programs providing the depth of study necessary to relay understanding? I am not in any way saying that online education is not a wonderful educational vehicle. In fact, we offer our classes online as well. However, we do not do this without scrutiny by the state, our accrediting body and limitations of the ABA.

To go a step further, I will tell you that the non-ABA approved paralegal programs may indicate to you that there aren’t necessarily any advantages to ABA approval. What they don’t tell you is that just as accrediting bodies review, research and scrutinize the details of an educational institution and its curriculum, ABA reviews, researches and scrutinizes paralegal programs in specific, thus ensuring the quality of the legal courses offered.

So while there are many varieties of paralegal programs now available offering an assortment of curriculum options, methods of instruction, and a vast range of tuition and fees it is in your best interest to ask the hard questions. Make sure the program you attend, in-house or online, is one of integrity in-and-of-itself rather than by association, and that it provides you the opportunity for and personal assistance in acquiring the employment and job satisfaction that you seek.

27-Jul-09 12:00 PM

Technology Is Reinforcing and Expanding the Role and Professional Nature of the Paralegal Profession

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:45:00 GMT

"Paralegals are becoming more accessible to attorneys as the cost of new hardware decreases," says Gary Melhuish, former president of The International Paralegal Managers Association. With new software constantly being created and its use updated in almost every area of law, paralegals are able to perform their tasks with increased speed and accuracy.

Law libraries in law firms are literally discarding their books in favor of online services for legal research. Paralegals who keep current with technology become invaluable to the firm, especially because they tend to stay with the firm, while associates and attorneys tend to rise up through the ranks or change firms. They become the institutional memory of the firm.

Taken from Paralegals.USLegal.com. Written by Carole Bruno

Paralegals.USLegal.com is maintained by Carole Bruno, a Paralegal for over 35 years.

24-Jul-09 2:45 PM

Profile: Center For Advanced Legal Studies - The Paralegal People

Gail Armatys - noemail@paralegal.edu — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:00:00 GMT

by Sami Hartsfield; Houston Legal Issues Examiner

Center For Advanced Legal Studies is no doubt a staple of the large Houston-area legal community. For 22 years, the Center has been providing top-notch paralegal graduates to local attorneys, law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental entities. And the flexibility of the Center’s course delivery options ensures that future paralegal students can find a program that fits their busy schedules.

Interested candidates may take their paralegal classes in a traditional on-campus environment; via the Center’s Online Interactive Instruction™; or in a blended format.

Staff at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies.

Perhaps more importantly, the Center for Advanced Legal Studies is one of just four ABA-Approved paralegal programs in the Houston area, and the only one focusing solely on paralegal education, hence their nickname “The Paralegal People.” Why is that important? For starters, most states (including Texas) require all attorneys to graduate from an ABA-approved law school in order to sit for their bar exams (please see Texas Board of Law Examiners Rule I(a)(3), regarding eligibility to sit for the Texas bar exam: “'Approved law school' shall mean a law school approved by the American Bar Association"). It follows, then, that attorneys would hold in high esteem the paralegal programs that have met these stringent requirements promulgated by the American Bar Association.

But that’s not all, the Center is fully-accredited and approved. You can find out more about the Center’s approvals and Accreditation here.

(For helpful background information on the paralegal profession, please see “Thinking about becoming a paralegal? Part I” and “Conclusion.”)

For those of you who already possess a bachelor’s degree in any field, you’ll want information on the Center’s certificate program (30 college semester credit hours). This Paralegal Certificate (not to be confused with certification) can be earned in just 7 months via traditional in-person classroom instruction held on campus in the mornings; or in 10 months via blended or Online Interactive Instruction™ classes. Courses included in the Paralegal Certificate Program:

Introduction to Law & Ethics	Computers and the Law
Interviewing and Investigation	Corporate and Business Law
Legal Research & Writing	Family Law
Civil Procedure	Real Estate
Personal Injury	Intellectual Property

If you do not yet have a college degree, you’ll want to know about their Associate of Applied Science Degree program in Paralegal Studies (62 college semester credit hours). You can earn this AAS Degree in just 15 months of full-time, traditional morning classes; or in 19 months via the blended or Online Interactive Instruction™ classes. Courses in the AAS Degree Program include all of the above, plus:

Criminal Law

English Composition I & II

American Government I

Introduction to Speech Communications

Anatomy & Physiology I

Wills, Trusts, & Probate

Business Math

Immigration Law

and an Externship

Furthermore, once you graduate the Center, you’re eligible for their lifetime placement assistance program. The Center’s web-site lists the following “small but representative cross-section of some of the hundreds of companies that have hired [their] graduates”:

Baker & Associates L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Bracewell & Giuliani L.L.P.
Centerpoint Energy
City of Houston
Cooper Industries
Crown Castle International
Cruse, Scott, Henderson & Allen L.L.P.
Devon Energy
Federal Wage and Law Labor Institute
Fizer, Beck,Webster, Bently & Scoggins
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Harris County Attorney’s Office
Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Holt & Young P.C.
Houssiere, Durant & Houssiere L.L.P.
Jenkins & Kamin L.L.P.
Lambright & Associates P.C.
Lohmann, Glazer & Irwin L.L.P.

See more of this list here.

The knowledgeable faculty at the Center consists of attorneys, judges, and those with a Master’s Degree at minimum. You can read more about their faculty here.

Furthermore, Doyle Happe (pronounced “happy”), co-founder of the Center, has over 40 years’ experience in the educational field. The Center’s web-site asserts that he is “passionate about providing quality educational programs that permit graduates to perform at a high level.” Having known this man personally for the last several years, I can unequivocally attest to this fact. The same can be said of his co-founder Gail Armatys.

2009 CALS graduate Susan Castleman-Berrera

Additionally, successful graduates of the Center are eligible to sit for NALA’s Certified Paralegal exam, a grueling two-day exam which is arguably the benchmark national certification in the paralegal field.

Best of all, Financial assistance is available at the Center.

Susan Castleman-Berrera, seen in the photo at left, is a 2009 graduate. When asked about the Center, she responded: “I loved going to Center for Advanced Legal Studies. I changed careers and if I can do it, you can do it, too!” I second that sentiment!

For more info: Next in this series, I'll profile the Houston Metropolitan Paralegal Association. Stay tuned, or sign up for instant email alerts here.

You may submit a contact form to the Center for Advanced Legal Studies here, or email them at info@paralegal.edu.

You can find the Center on the Web at http://paralegal.edu/, or

On Facebook

On LinkedIn

On MySpace

RSS Feed

* This author should note that while I plan profiles on all reputable, legitimate Houston-area paralegal programs, she is a 4.0 graduate of CALS. Additionally, should you wish to continue your post-secondary education, CALS has matriculation agreements with several universities.

Likewise, I was able to transfer nearly all of my CALS’ credits to university.

As always, if you have a school, legal career, or legal organization/association you’d like to see profiled here, feel free to email the author at samihartsfield@gmail.com, or leave a comment in the comments section below.

Author: Sami Hartsfield

Sami Hartsfield is an Examiner from Houston. You can see Sami's articles on Sami's Home Page.

Find out more about Sami:

Sami Hartsfield is a freelance writer and paralegal who works in civil law in Houston. She is currently completing her bachelor's degree in political science with a 3.9 GPA, and is preparing to enter law school. She interned with the 14th Court of Appeals under Chief Justice Adele Hedges, completed the University of Houston Law Center's Summer 2008 Prelaw Institute, and is currently assisting a local legal aid organization in the public benefits department. Sami holds a national advanced paralegal certification, as well as four specialty certifications: Discovery; Trial Practice; Contracts Management; and Social Security Disability Law. You can e-mail her with questions, comments, or ideas at samihartsfield@gmail.com.

More About: Legal Professions/Schools/Organizations

13-Jul-09 4:00 PM

Stimulus package to help with tuition

Eric Happe - noemail@paralegal.edu — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:00:00 GMT

By Kim Clark, U.S. News & World Report

Millions of students and parents struggling to raise cash for college this fall could have a happy surprise early next year: a tax credit of up to $2,500.

The new higher-education tax credit, which was part of the stimulus bill signed into law in February, is expected to put hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars into the pockets of millions of Americans who write tuition checks this year. Better yet, students don't have to fill out any extra financial-aid applications to get the new money. They just file their tax returns. Read More

24-Jun-09 10:00 AM

Paralegal Trends Defy Unemployment Rate

Tami Riggs - noemail@paralegal.edu — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Written by Tami Riggs, a Training and Career Placement Specialist. Focus is on Employment Development with specialty in paralegal and law-related professions. Tami is a speaker, event organizer, and career coordinator and has assisted hundreds of the Center's graduates in beginning their careers. 5.26.2009

Students and Graduates have Reasons to be Optimistic

Students and graduates want to know one thing: Will I find a job?

Unemployment rates are soaring. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the national unemployment rate at 8.9%. Every news medium has facts and figures to support the decline of our economy. And yet, in the midst of this unwelcome recession we continue to see trends that give our students and graduates several reasons to be optimistic.

First, the paralegal profession continues to be recognized as one of the fastest growing occupations. In many ways it is a recession-proof career. Legal demands, and in turn legal jobs, tend to increase in a diminished economy. As bankruptcies, foreclosures and lawsuits rise, so does the need for qualified paralegals. While other professions look to outsource positions, the roles of paralegals are becoming more defined and more important.

Second, law firms of all sizes are seeking more efficient and economical alternatives to hiring new associates. This trend has opened doors for paralegals who, with proper training and education, can assume the same responsibilities formerly handled by lawyers.

Third, graduates of the Center For Advanced Legal Studies leave this institution with complete and specialized training and lifetime placement assistance. The Texas Workforce Commission has documented our employment rates above 80% for four consecutive years. This is possible, in part, because we have a designated Placement Director whose primary role is to network within the legal community and maintain close contact with prospective employers.

Even in a weak market, the number of available positions has continued to rise and there remains a great demand for paralegals within the profession. This means increased opportunities and job security. While it is impossible to predict the future, it is a sure bet that our graduates will continue to be successful!

27-May-09 10:00 AM